The United States is prepared to quickly open the Strait of Hormuz or face a serious military escalation against Tehran, President Donald Trump said. As diplomats in Washington negotiate a temporary 60-day solution to separate maritime traffic between Iranian and Omani waters, tensions in the key global shipping corridor are reaching a boiling point after new missile attacks on merchant ships.
US President Donald Trump said that traffic through the Strait of Hormuz will be normalized very soon, or else Iran will face direct consequences. In an interview with Fox News, Trump indicated that Washington is holding talks behind closed doors, although official Tehran publicly refuses to acknowledge any negotiations.
The conflict, which has been going on for more than five months, is at a critical stage. The White House maintains that a deal is possible, but at the same time keeps open the option of using force if the sea route remains blocked for international trade.
US diplomats are drafting a framework for a temporary 60-day agreement to allow safe passage for ships between Iran and Oman. Under the proposal, all vessels entering the strait would use the northern route through Iranian territorial waters, while those exiting would sail through the southern corridor controlled by Oman.
The plan envisages complete exemption from any crossing fees. This two-month transitional period also envisages the clearing of sea mines from the central part of the Strait, provided that both sides give the final green light.
This is the eighth such threat by US President Donald Trump, after previously sending serious warnings of escalation to Tehran seven times and then backing off seven times.
